Spider Game (GhostWalkers, #12)(100)

“That looks like tons of food,” Cayenne said, trying to keep the horror out of her voice. “Do they really eat all that?”


Nonny nodded. “They’re men, and they work all day tryin’ to turn this place into a fortress and they need to keep their strength up. Each of them has bought land nearly all the way to Trap’s compound. They’re goin’ to build homes or add to the ones they bought, so all through the swamp here, Wyatt’s team will have a safe home base. They can have their families here.”


Trap hadn’t mentioned to Cayenne that his team members were all planning to settle in the area. She liked the idea that Pepper and the triplets would be so protected. Pressing a hand to her stomach, she found she was a little relieved that if Trap and she did have a baby, the child would be just as protected.


“So you have to cook for them?” Cayenne asked.


Nonny frowned. “I want to cook for them. I enjoy it, and I enjoy watchin’ them eat whatever I make. I try to have beans or gumbo on the stove for when they come in at odd hours. I like havin’ those boys around. Makes me feel my girls are protected. I got me a good shotgun, but some of these soldiers Whitney sends are a might trained.”


“I like that,” Cayenne said softly. “That you want to cook for them, that it gives you pleasure. I tried to explain how I felt to Trap, but I never know if what I’m feeling is normal. I just have this driving need to make him a home.”


“There’s nothin’ wrong with that, girl,” Nonny assured. “You love your man, and you want to do right by him. He do right by you?” Suddenly Nonny’s gaze was piercing, as if she could see right through Cayenne to her very soul.


Cayenne held the older woman’s gaze and slowly nodded her head. “He’s so good to me, sometimes I don’t know what to do with it. He’s kind and funny and so sweet it makes me feel funny inside.”


Pepper and Nonny exchanged a long look, both with raised eyebrows and disbelieving expressions.


“You’re talking about Trap,” Pepper said. “Our Trap?”


Cayenne didn’t like her tone or her words. “Actually he’s my Trap, and yes, he’s always sweet. Well… Not in public. Then he’s cold as ice, but he’s got his reasons and I understand them, so it doesn’t bother me.” Much, she added silently.


“Trap is sweet to you?” Nonny asked.


Cayenne tried not to feel defensive. “He was the first human being to show me any kindness at all. When I was terrified one night, he was so good to me, letting me learn things on my own…” she broke off, blushing. “I don’t know how he had so much control, and he’s a man who needs and prefers control, but he was wonderful to me. And he built me an apartment. When I couldn’t stand wide-open spaces, he didn’t mind my… um… artwork hanging on the bed like drapes. He sees me. He makes me laugh.”


“He sounds wonderful,” Nonny said immediately. “He’s the type of man who finds his woman and gives her the best part of himself. Some men are like that. He doesn’t need or want approval from anyone else, but for you, he gives whatever he’s got inside. He saves that for you. Exclusively.”


Cayenne heard the approval in Nonny’s voice. Trap was exactly like that. He gave himself to her, every single time. He actually took the time to explain himself when she instinctively knew he didn’t ever do that with others. He gave her that look, his eyes going warm and soft, his expression the same, almost tender. He melted her insides every time.


The timer went off, and Nonny went straight into teaching mode. “Now we add the onions and cook for another forty-five minutes. Again, I set the timer. I try to stay around the kitchen or close to it even with the timer going. In this case, while the chicken is cooking, we can start the salad. We’re serving a crabmeat salad tonight with the chicken. That should make the boys happy, and each of us can do exactly what we did with the chicken recipe. We’ll triple it, each of us doing enough for six.”


The door opened, and Malichai came in. He stopped abruptly when he saw the three women. “Whoa, there, Nonny. You can’t have Pepper in the kitchen. I’m a starving man, and she has some kind of bad kitchen mojo going on. She’s been cursed. Every time she’s in here, the fire alarms go off and my food is ruined.”


Pepper wadded up a napkin and threw it at him. “Go away. You’re a bottomless pit, and for your information, the chicken is being cooked to perfection.”


Malichai came closer to peer over their shoulders at the white lump crabmeat. “Woman. That is not chicken. Nonny, she can’t be in here. I heard Trap brought his woman to learn from the best. Pepper is going to put that whammy on Cayenne and my brother will starve.”


Pepper threw another balled-up napkin, this one hitting him square in the face. “Go away or I will burn the dinner and you’ll have to go fishing and eat it raw.”


“I’ve tried raw fish. A couple of times, when I was desperate for nourishment.”


“Malichai,” Nonny warned. “I’ve got the broom. You’re disturbin’ my cookin’ lesson. These girls are doin’ just fine so don’ be distractin’ them.”